The Answer Man

There are many reasons you may want to reduce your home’s energy footprint. Energy-efficient homes are not only better for the environment; they can also save you money year after year. If you want to reduce your utility bill and help preserve the environment for generations to come, follow these five steps to reduce your home’s energy usage. 

1. Properly Seal Windows & Doors 

One of the biggest ways to reduce your home’s energy usage is to ensure a tight seal on all windows and doors. You could go all the way and replace your current windows and doors with energy-efficient alternatives, but that can be a costly upgrade to your home. Energy-efficient windows are typically between $300 – $1,000 each, with energy-efficient doors costing between $730 – $1500 after installation. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative with great results, products such as removable caulking, clay caulking rope, weather stripping, or window insulation can reduce your energy usage without breaking the bank. 

2. Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs 

Another budget-friendly method for reducing your home’s energy usage is to swap all of your lightbulbs for LEDs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs use fewer watts to produce the same amount of light and they last much longer. A typical 60-watt incandescent has a lifespan of roughly 1,000 hours. Comparatively, a 12-watt LED bulb would produce a similar amount of light with a lifespan of approximately 25,000 hours. This means LED bulbs will use less energy and last longer, resulting in great long-term savings. 

3. Use Power Strips 

Power strips are a great way to tidy up power cables, and they can also help reduce your home’s overall energy usage. Due to the fact that electronics still pull a small amount of power if they are plugged in (even if they are turned off), it is best to turn off the entire power strip when you are done using whatever you have plugged into it. 

4. Replace Dirty Air Filters 

Changing out your dirty air filters is just part of routine home maintenance, but did you know that clean air filters can use 15% less energy than dirty ones? Considering that your HVAC unit is typically about half of your total energy usage, replacing your air filters every 60-90 days can reduce your total energy usage by 7.5%. 

5. Drapes & Shades 

Drapes and shades are a common feature of any household. While they are typically used for decoration and privacy, you can also use them to reduce your overall energy usage. In the Winter, keep drapes and shades on the south side of your home open during the day to allow the sun to naturally warm your home. During the Summer months, keep drapes and shades closed during the day to block out the heat. 

While there are many more ways to make your home more energy-efficient, following these five steps will save you plenty of money while also helping preserve the environment. For the supplies mentioned above and much more, come see us at CC Farm & Home for all your home supply needs. As always, you had the questions, and the Answer Man had the answers.